Though author Robert Mailer Anderson confesses to failing at the trumpet, the music-loving philanthropist is well versed in the art of improvisation.

And he riffed like a wild man Jan. 23 at SFJazz's joyous opening-night concert, where he served as gala chairman to celebrate this historic $64 mil, stand-alone center dedicated to our nation's most original and democratic genre.

"We got rid of the tables and medallions of beef," joked Anderson, a gala veteran. "We're bypassing 'stuffy' to head straight for great music."

There was no need to gild this exquisitely designed, acoustically excellent 35,000-square-foot lily. Atop the stage in the Robert N. Miner Auditorium, comedian Bill Cosbyemceed the star-studded set featuring greats Mary Stallings, McCoy Tyner, Regina Carter, Chick Corea, John Handyand Bill Frisell, who were joined by the SFJazz Collective and soulful bassist-singer Esperanza Spalding.

The event was also SFJazz's most successful fundraiser, handily raising $1.6 mil as the gala sold out months in advance.

"Planning this, I got questions like 'what's on the menu?' " Anderson said with a laugh. "Like you're going to tell Charles Phan what to cook? Or ask Joshua Redman, 'Are you practicing? What are you putting in your solos?' "

During opening week, Anderson, a stalwart SFJazz trustee, marveled as hordes of young patrons waited to enter.

"It was like they were in line to see 'The Hobbit,' " he enthused. "I had to remind myself that I was standing inside what for years was a four-wheel brake and muffler shop."

For the finale, Anderson sat at a piano as an ancient, hand-cranked Victrola was wheeled onstage. He remembered friends and family who've died, including his grandfather, a San Quentin Prison guard. After work, his grandfather poured out two fingers of whiskey before firing up a Victrola to listen to this "music of the civil rights movement."

"But there was no talking during the A-side," Anderson said, requesting silence to honor all the jazz greats who've passed as his Victrola creaked out Billie Holiday's anthem, "I'll Be Seeing You."

Aside from celebrating her engagement to filmmaker George Lucas, DreamWorks Animation Chairwoman Mellody Hobson was the belle of the ball in a knockout lavender Oscar de la Renta strapless gown trimmed by bounteous layers of cascading tulle. "There's Oscar," she said of her ensemble, "and there's Oscar!"

Stylish Lonna Wais dazzled in a Dolce & Gabbana gown that shimmered with gold sequins. "It's a bit over the top, but what the hell?" Wais said. Samasource founder Leila Janah bought her BCBG one-shoulder gown just 40 minutes before arriving. "After our board meeting, I ran to Westfield and found this. Then I raced back to the office, changed and made it here on time."